Srinagar: Divisional Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen was among two militants killed in a brief encounter with joint team of government forces in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday.
A police spokesman said that acting on a specific information, police along with army’s 22 Rastriya Riffles and 179, 177 and 92 battalions of paramilitary CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Check-e-Brath area of apple town.
During searches, he said, hiding militants fired upon joint search party, ensuing an encounter in which Divisional Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen—Pervaiz Ahmad Wani, a resident of Galoora Handwara, and Naeem Ahmad Najar son of Ghulam Hassan Najar of Shelpora Brath, Sopore, were killed.
Two AK rifles, three AK magazines, 90 AK rounds, One INSAS rifle, one INSAS Magazine, 13 INSAS rounds and other ammunition were recovered from the encounter site, the spokesman said.
He claimed that Pervaiz was involved in the serial blast on mobile towers in 2015 besides series of “civilian” and police killings apart from various attacks on police and other forces.
Pervaiz was also involved in killing of two police personnel in Handwara market in 2013 as also in attack on police post Langate last year apart from attack on Army in Handwara and attack on SBI Sopore, the spokesman said.
“Pervaiz along with Nayeem was involved in the killing of Eid-ul-Amin resident of Maqboolabad Behrampora. Parvaiz was also involved in the killing of Fayaz Ahmad resident of Saidpora Tragpora Rafiabad and killing of Suhail Ahmad Dar resident of Kachloo Khaipora Kralgund.”
Besides, he was instrumental in recruiting many youths in Hizb in North Kashmir, the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, the authorities closed all educational institutes in twin towns of Sopore and Baramulla.